Many phone apps are designed to increase engagement with the device, to increase spending, and even to introduce or increase gambling. All people are susceptible to this, however the developing brains of adolescents make them particularly vulnerable.

Barker has partnered with Brad Marshall (a.k.a. The Unplugged Psychologist) and Dr Wayne Warburton to run sessions with our Year 7-10 and 11-12 students respectively, and they teamed up for the night to share their research and experience with the parents.

While Brad focussed on problem gaming, and Wayne on teenage gambling, both described addictive behaviours, how they manifest in the brain, how to observe them in young people, and how to act when they are observed. Open conversations that target the behaviour, not the person, were advised to both avoid and break free from tech-enabled addiction.

Recommended resources include:

- The Tech Diet for your Child & Teen, Book by Brad Marshall

- How to Say No to Your Phone, Book by Brad Marshall

- Where to find more information, and where to go for help for young people facing issues around addiction and mental health (click here).

Dr Matthew Hill

Dr Matthew Hill is the Director of The Barker Institute with a focus on professional learning, research, and innovation in the school.  He teaches Physics and the new Science Extension course at the School which introduces students to scientific academic research. Matthew's doctorate reflects his passion for science education focussing on Representational Fluency amongst physics students at school and university. He has published in leadership, education, and science journals and been involved in course development and teaching at The University of Sydney and The University of Western Sydney. He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Divinity at Ridley College in Melbourne.